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Very interesting and cool, but not for the squeamish. If you don’t want to see a rattlesnake quickly beheaded or a dude wearing a rattlesnake head necklace, this isn’t for you, but for everyone else, it’s a great piece of American kitsch. They say that ophidiophobia–fear of snakes–is the most common fear and that it’s genetic. But I have a very cool pair of rattlesnake-skin covered cowboy boots which I bought at a second-hand shop, so I enjoy this bit on the Sweetwater, Texas Rattlesnake Roundup. I’m glad, though, that rattlesnakes (and all other snakes) are not kosher, so I can’t eat ‘em. Yuck. Tastes like chicken?

As you probably can gather, these rattlesnake hunters are salt of the earth Americans, and you can bet none o’ these guys voted for Obama. Count on it.

Bonus video: this is my favorite snake video. You can’t even see the snake, but you can feel the fear, ironically with Salma Hayek, who did a whole movie scene with a giant python previously (was it a stunt double?):

I ate rattlesnake during a survival training course in the Army and it sure didn’t taste like chicken to me; it tasted distinctly fishy. Also, one interesting thing was that even after it was completely skinned, gutted (and beheaded) – just the meat and the spine tied to a stick for roasting – the meat started to squirm as it first hit the flame. Like just the muscles reacting instinctively.

I’ve seen that show of the rattlesnake guy and the others on one of the animal channel things my father watches. You are correct, they are salt of the earth guys who work very hard for a living. The guy in the video was going nuts over this slacker he hired who had no work ethic. Great guy, even though crazy.

As for Salma Hayek, I waived my “No George Clooney” rule for From Dusk to Dawn. That snake dance she did in the red bikini is one of the sexiest scenes in movie history. Very highly recommended for that dance sequence alone. I’m pretty sure it’s her and a live snake in the movie.

Debbie, I’m with #1 Vato, you MUST MUST MUST post a pic of you in those rattlesnake boots!!!!!!! C’mon, Debbie, if you love your devotees, you MUST MUST MUST post a pic at least on Facebook or here.

If you really want a trip to Texas, the RR is one thing. It’s gross and stupid and mostly a Texas “put on”. But, hey, they have anything “rattlesnake” you’ve ever fantasized about. First Monday in Weatherford (or any other big Texas flea market) is another. The amount of spandex worn is directly proportional to the morbid obesity of the wearers. It think they even sell babies there. If you’re in Sweetwater, go to Allen Family Restaurant. If it’s the same one I remember, it’s a family style, you never know who you’ll be sitting beside, picnic benches, one price fits all, etc. Sort of like an old boarding house dining room, with no ambiance, but good home cooking. A big tornado leveled Sweetwater a decade or two ago, so I don’t know if it’s in the same old house. That’s my Texas trivia for the day. And, no, I don’t eat snakes, chicken fried or not.

I don’t understand the hateful comment about Sweetwater and the people above.
I was a Jaycee and worked the roundup for several years.
It is a wonderful event and is very educational.
The greatest benefit from this is all the venom milked from the snakes is used for medical research and has saved many lives.
Thank you Debbie for sharing this.

They have rattlesnake roundups in my state too. I hear they are lots of fun. I live too far away to attend though. But eating rattlesnake is no different from eating any other reptile. Lots of people in my area eat alligator, for instance, it is even commonly served in cajun and seafood restaurants.

when i was in viet nam we could not get resupplied because of the amount of fire comming our way so i was hungry.i spotted a krait which i killed with my flash suppressor then pulled the skin off and eate it raw and was glad to get it.if you rae hungry enough you will eat any thing including bugs and snakes.

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There is one common fear that is imbedded in every phobia, the fear of not being in control.

Once you figure that out and apply it to what ever terrifies you, that is, to use it to make the necessary corrections if you so desire, you may find yourself freed from the cage of fear that paralyzed you.